Siaya County Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming agriculture into a productive, profitable, resilient and inclusive sector through strategic investments in farmer institutions, irrigation systems, value addition, and youth-led agribusiness development.
Speaking during the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) Day in Siaya County, Governor H.E. James Orengo presided over the issuance of cheques to Cooperative Societies, SACCOs and Farmer Producer Organizations. He also flagged off personal protective equipment for distribution across county markets to enhance safety standards and reinforce agricultural support services.
The event also marked the swearing-in of 150 Young Agripreneurs, who will support agricultural extension services and strengthen farmer outreach programs at the community level.
Governor Orengo said agriculture remains the backbone of Siaya’s economy, contributing nearly 60 percent of the Gross County Product, valued at approximately KSh 9.2 billion annually.
He noted that achieving meaningful economic transformation requires repositioning agriculture as a commercial enterprise driven by productivity, investment, resilience and strong market systems.
“Agriculture must move beyond subsistence. It has to be seen as a strategic sector capable of driving inclusive growth if we invest in productivity, enterprise and markets,” he said.
The Governor highlighted that Siaya County is leveraging its fertile soils, reliable rainfall, Lake Victoria resources and active farming population to increase output through better organization, coordinated investment and value addition.
He further stated that the county has established Community Driven Development Committees in all 30 wards and integrated 30 SACCOs alongside 13 Farmer Producer Organizations to strengthen institutional coordination and improve market access.
Through inclusion grants exceeding KSh 25 million, the county has enhanced SACCO governance structures, expanded financial inclusion, and improved access to affordable credit for smallholder farmers.
Governor Orengo also pointed to key NAVCDP-supported projects, including the Siriwo Rice Mill paddy curing and storage facility worth over KSh 40 million and the Kogonga–Kayundi Irrigation Project valued at more than KSh 29 million, as critical enablers of agricultural modernization.
“These investments are part of a wider strategy to build a resilient, competitive and commercially oriented agricultural economy,” he said.
Siaya County Chief Officer for Agriculture, Elizabeth Adongo, said the county is undertaking soil intelligence mapping through the collection of about 2,600 soil samples across all wards to improve fertilizer use, crop suitability and overall productivity.
She emphasized the importance of aligning production with markets, financing systems, value addition and strong institutional frameworks for sustainable growth.
“Without markets and value addition, agricultural production remains vulnerable and less rewarding. We must therefore strengthen enterprise systems and market integration,” she said.
The county government reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the national government, development partners, private sector actors and farmer institutions to expand irrigation, strengthen agro-processing, improve market systems and enhance participation of youth and women in agribusiness.
